Mary Ann McNutt was born the fourth of nine children to Calvin C. McNutt and Jane Stultz McNutt. On 3 June 1853, Mary Ann married Edward Cairl in Sandusky County, Ohio. While living in Sandusky County, five children were born: Mary Jane, twins Clarissa and Clarinda A., Elizabeth Matilda, and Calvin. The family moved northwest to Lucas County where their family was completed with the births of Margaret, Frank J., Lorenzo Dow, Nathan B., Emmett Edward, and W.